I have been asking questions about meditation. Specifically about breath meditation and awareness meditation. I don't understand (my fault) and I'm a bit confused now as to what I should do - or even what I want to do. I've mixed them up, so basically I want to start again from a fresh perspective.

Initially I thought I wanted just to relax, and I do. But now I am not so sure this is the best path. I know we should pput aside wants and cravings, but now I am thinking, if I can gain insight, that will also help me to relax, because after all, I am still sitting, breathing, and meditating.

So at the risk of sounding tedious, I would like to ask anew. Mainly: I would like to start afresh on awareness mediation.

What meditative technique must I practice to on my path to insight, to awaken?

The heart of the path is SO simple. No need for long explanations. Give up clinging to love and hate, just rest with things as they are. That is all I do in my own practice. Do not try to become anything. Do not make yourself into anything. Do not be a meditator. Do not become enlightened. When you sit, let it be. When you walk, let it be. Grasp at nothing. Resist nothing. Of course, there are dozens of meditation techniques to develop samadhi and many kinds of vipassana. But it all comes back to this - just let it all be. Step over here where it is cool, out of the battle. - Ajahn Chah

Collective wrote:I have been asking questions about meditation. Specifically about breath meditation and awareness meditation. I don't understand (my fault) and I'm a bit confused now as to what I should do - or even what I want to do. I've mixed them up, so basically I want to start again from a fresh perspective.

Initially I thought I wanted just to relax, and I do. But now I am not so sure this is the best path. I know we should pput aside wants and cravings, but now I am thinking, if I can gain insight, that will also help me to relax, because after all, I am still sitting, breathing, and meditating.

So at the risk of sounding tedious, I would like to ask anew. Mainly: I would like to start afresh on awareness mediation.

What meditative technique must I practice to on my path to insight, to awaken?

Thank you all kindly, I do appreciate your patience.

It doesn't really matter what technique you use, but if you do choose a technique it's best to stick with it until you've got a handle on it rather than chopping and changing all the time. The chopping and changing and the need to find the "perfect technique" is probably fuelled by restlessness, by the feeling that things aren't quite good enough, and this is the very thing one should be letting go of.

Watching the breath is the most common practice and I'd recommend you do this until you get comfortable with it, then think of trying other techniques.

What is more important than technique is attitude, which should be one of not expecting anything, acceptance, openness, giving up control. Meditation isn't so much about achieving something but of letting go of the mind that always wants to control, and achieve something.

If after a few years of doing this you still feel you aren't getting anywhere then maybe you should be concerned.

"Right effort is effort with wisdom. Because where there is wisdom, there is interest. The desire to know something is wisdom at work. Being mindful is not difficult. But it’s difficult to be continuously aware. For that you need right effort. But it does not require a great deal of energy. It’s relaxed perseverance in reminding yourself to be aware. When you are aware, wisdom unfolds naturally, and there is still more interest." - Sayadaw U Tejaniya

Goofaholix wrote:It doesn't really matter what technique you use, but if you do choose a technique it's best to stick with it until you've got a handle on it rather than chopping and changing all the time. The chopping and changing and the need to find the "perfect technique" is probably fuelled by restlessness, by the feeling that things aren't quite good enough, and this is the very thing one should be letting go of.

Watching the breath is the most common practice and I'd recommend you do this until you get comfortable with it, then think of trying other techniques.

What is more important than technique is attitude, which should be one of not expecting anything, acceptance, openness, giving up control. Meditation isn't so much about achieving something but of letting go of the mind that always wants to control, and achieve something.

If after a few years of doing this you still feel you aren't getting anywhere then maybe you should be concerned.

I would add to this by suggesting that you attend a retreat/course if possible. If not, try to attend a group session every now and then if possible. When starting out, it helps to have support and encouragement. We can certainly offer some of that here online, but having some physical interaction with other practitioners is really helpful.

In addition to books and classes, I've found audio talks very helpful. In particular, some guided meditations are most helpful. One of my favorites is by Andrea Fella and it is available here: http://www.audiodharma.org/talks-andrea.html. It's titled "Mindfulness of the Body: Guided Meditation" and is dated 3/19/09. I found it a good balance of relaxation and an introduction to breath meditation.

Regards: AdvaitaJ

The birds have vanished down the sky. Now the last cloud drains away.We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains. Li Bai

Goofaholix wrote:It doesn't really matter what technique you use, but if you do choose a technique it's best to stick with it until you've got a handle on it rather than chopping and changing all the time. The chopping and changing and the need to find the "perfect technique" is probably fuelled by restlessness, by the feeling that things aren't quite good enough, and this is the very thing one should be letting go of.

I want to achieve insight, but not sure if that comes with just observing breath.

At first it seems like your just watching the breath. In time you will realize that you're really watching the mind. And doing that will bring insights. It is certain, just ask any meditating monk.

MichaelThe thoughts I've expressed in the above post are carefully considered and offered in good faith.

And friendliness towards the world is happiness for him who is forbearing with living beings. -- Ud. 2:1To his own ruin the fool gains knowledge, for it cleaves his head and destroys his innate goodness. -- Dhp 72

I don't know if this will help, but I found a suggested book here, Insight Meditation a Step-by-Step Guide, and it's a home study course/workbook. While I just got it today in the mail, it comes with the workbook (very easy to follow and understand), two meditation CDs (along with a booklet on how best to utilize them), and focus cards to help you with quick references to the lessons. It explains how to use the book in the best way as well. I'm only in the first lesson, and it suggests spending at least one week in each--which gives you the time to really learn and apply everything. I've scanned the whole workbook to get a feel of it, and I am very excited to use it. Maybe it will help you as well. I got it on Amazon.com for just $17 after shipping. I found it used, but never opened. This might be a good option for you....

Hope you find something that helps! I know it can be overwhelming to find your starting point, but after a lot of researching I found this to be my best bet for starting out. I plan on sticking with this course until I have learned and applied it completely. Even if that takes a couple years--I love it so far!

Butrfly_Nirvana wrote:I don't know if this will help, but I found a suggested book here, Insight Meditation a Step-by-Step Guide, and it's a home study course/workbook. While I just got it today in the mail, it comes with the workbook (very easy to follow and understand), two meditation CDs (along with a booklet on how best to utilize them), and focus cards to help you with quick references to the lessons. It explains how to use the book in the best way as well. I'm only in the first lesson, and it suggests spending at least one week in each--which gives you the time to really learn and apply everything. I've scanned the whole workbook to get a feel of it, and I am very excited to use it. Maybe it will help you as well. I got it on Amazon.com for just $17 after shipping. I found it used, but never opened. This might be a good option for you....

Hope you find something that helps! I know it can be overwhelming to find your starting point, but after a lot of researching I found this to be my best bet for starting out. I plan on sticking with this course until I have learned and applied it completely. Even if that takes a couple years--I love it so far!

great kit, great sugestion.also as others have said, pick one teacher/style and stick with it.

สัพเพ สัตตา สุขีตา โหนตุ

the mountain may be heavy in and of itself, but if you're not trying to carry it it's not heavy to you- Ajaan Suwat

I want to achieve insight, but not sure if that comes with just observing breath.

You certainly won't achieve any insights by asking everyone's opinion and advice but not actually starting. Understandably you are at your "window shopping" phase. But like many here have already advised, pick a method, take that leap of faith and stick to it. You'll never know whether it will work for you until you actually do it.

Collective wrote:So at the risk of sounding tedious, I would like to ask anew. Mainly: I would like to start afresh on awareness mediation. What meditative technique must I practice to on my path to insight, to awaken?

Sanghamitta wrote:Pick a teacher , stick with it. Ideally the teacher should be made of flesh and blood and belong to a recognised school.

"When we transcend one level of truth, the new level becomes what is true for us. The previous one is now false. What one experiences may not be what is experienced by the world in general, but that may well be truer. (Ven. Nanananda)

“I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.” (MN 31)

"When we transcend one level of truth, the new level becomes what is true for us. The previous one is now false. What one experiences may not be what is experienced by the world in general, but that may well be truer. (Ven. Nanananda)

“I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.” (MN 31)

I have 2 books here which I bought some time early last year. Both by Bhante Gunaratana; 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness, and Mindfulness in Plain English.

I read most of both then life took over and I put them down. But what I did read, I'm not sure if they taught me how to awaken, how to gain insight. It taight me a lot about being aware at all times and how to do breath meditation. But my question was will breath meditation bring me to awareness/enlightenment/insight, and more importantly, the question I think I really need to ask is; how will it?

Collective wrote:But my question was will breath meditation bring me to awareness/enlightenment/insight, and more importantly, the question I think I really need to ask is; how will it?

Yes, it can... but you need to distinguish between the samatha (calming) aspects and the vipassana (insight) aspects. Do you presently know the difference?

Metta,Retro.

"When we transcend one level of truth, the new level becomes what is true for us. The previous one is now false. What one experiences may not be what is experienced by the world in general, but that may well be truer. (Ven. Nanananda)

“I hope, Anuruddha, that you are all living in concord, with mutual appreciation, without disputing, blending like milk and water, viewing each other with kindly eyes.” (MN 31)

Butrfly_Nirvana wrote:I don't know if this will help, but I found a suggested book here, Insight Meditation a Step-by-Step Guide, and it's a home study course/workbook. While I just got it today in the mail, it comes with the workbook (very easy to follow and understand), two meditation CDs (along with a booklet on how best to utilize them), and focus cards to help you with quick references to the lessons. It explains how to use the book in the best way as well. I'm only in the first lesson, and it suggests spending at least one week in each--which gives you the time to really learn and apply everything. I've scanned the whole workbook to get a feel of it, and I am very excited to use it. Maybe it will help you as well. I got it on Amazon.com for just $17 after shipping. I found it used, but never opened. This might be a good option for you....

Hope you find something that helps! I know it can be overwhelming to find your starting point, but after a lot of researching I found this to be my best bet for starting out. I plan on sticking with this course until I have learned and applied it completely. Even if that takes a couple years--I love it so far!

great kit, great sugestion.also as others have said, pick one teacher/style and stick with it.